Questions in Genesis

Death of humans

Are the mankind in Gen 1 the same 2 people in Genesis 2?

The question of whether the "mankind" created in Genesis 1 is the same as the two individuals, Adam and Eve, described in Genesis 2, is a topic of debate among scholars and theologians. Here are some points to consider:

### Similarities:

1. Creation by God: Both accounts describe the creation of humans by God, emphasizing the divine origin of humanity.

2. Dominion over Earth: In Genesis 1, humans are given dominion over the earth and its creatures, a theme that is consistent with the role of Adam in Genesis 2, where he is placed in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

3. Image of God: Genesis 1 states that humans are created in the image of God, a concept that is foundational to the human identity in both chapters.

### Differences:

1. Creation Order: Genesis 1 presents a broader, more general account of creation, with humans (male and female) being created on the sixth day. Genesis 2, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the creation of Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam's rib, with a detailed narrative of their placement in the Garden of Eden.

2. Purpose and Detail: The purpose of the creation accounts differs. Genesis 1 is structured as a week-long creation narrative, emphasizing order and completeness. Genesis 2 zooms in on the creation of humans, providing more detailed information about their environment and their relationship with God.

3. Names and Specificity: Genesis 1 uses the term "mankind" (adam in Hebrew, which can mean "man" or "mankind"), whereas Genesis 2 introduces the specific names Adam and Eve. This shift from a general to a specific focus suggests different emphases in the two chapters.

### Theological and Scholarly Interpretations:

1. Complementary Accounts: Many scholars view Genesis 1 and 2 as complementary rather than contradictory. They argue that Genesis 1 provides a broad overview of creation, while Genesis 2 offers a more detailed look at the creation of humans and their relationship with God.

2. Literary Style: Some suggest that the differences in the accounts reflect different literary styles or sources (the documentary hypothesis, for example, posits different authors for different parts of the Pentateuch). Genesis 1 is seen as a poetic, structured account, while Genesis 2 is more narrative and detailed.

3. Theological Focus: The theological focus of the two chapters might also explain the differences. Genesis 1 emphasizes the goodness and order of creation, while Genesis 2 focuses on the relationship between God and humans, and the nature of human life.

### Conclusion:

While there are notable differences between the accounts in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, many scholars and theologians believe that they are describing the same event from different perspectives. The "mankind" of Genesis 1 can be seen as encompassing the specific individuals, Adam and Eve, of Genesis 2, with the latter chapter providing more detailed information about their creation and purpose.

Ultimately, the interpretation may depend on one's theological, scholarly, or cultural perspective, but the general consensus is that both chapters are part of a cohesive narrative about the origin of humanity and its relationship with God.

Were Adam and Eve created mortal?

The question of whether Adam and Eve were created mortal or immortal is a matter of theological interpretation and debate. Here are some key points to consider from both biblical text and traditional interpretations:

### Biblical Text:

1. Genesis 2:17: God warns Adam, "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." This suggests that disobedience would result in death, implying that they were not initially subject to death.

2. Genesis 3:22-24: After Adam and Eve eat from the tree, God says, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." God then expels them from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life. This passage implies that immortality was potentially accessible to them in the Garden but was lost after their disobedience.

### Traditional Interpretations:

1. Christian Theology: Many Christian theologians argue that Adam and Eve were created in a state of conditional immortality. They were not inherently immortal but could have achieved immortality by eating from the tree of life. Their disobedience led to the loss of access to this tree and thus to mortality.

2. Jewish Interpretations: In Jewish tradition, there are varied interpretations. Some rabbinic sources suggest that Adam and Eve were initially created mortal, while others argue that they were created with the potential for immortality, which was lost due to their sin.

3. Augustinian View: St. Augustine, an influential Christian theologian, argued that Adam and Eve were created in a state of original righteousness and would have been immortal had they not sinned. Their sin introduced death into the human condition.

### Scholarly Perspectives:

1. Literal vs. Symbolic: Some scholars interpret the biblical accounts more symbolically. The tree of life might represent a spiritual state or relationship with God that leads to eternal life, rather than a literal source of physical immortality.

2. Historical-Critical Approach: Some scholars using the historical-critical method might argue that the stories of Adam and Eve are theological narratives rather than historical accounts, and the focus should be on the theological message about human nature and the consequences of disobedience rather than literal details about mortality or immortality.

### Conclusion:

While the biblical text and traditional interpretations suggest that Adam and Eve were not created as inherently mortal, their mortality became a reality after their disobedience. The precise nature of their initial state—whether conditionally immortal or potentially immortal—is subject to ongoing theological and scholarly debate.

Death of animals

The names Adam picked for the animals	Lion	H738	from H717 "in the sense of violence"¹¹
	Cormorant	H7994¹²	"bird of prey" from H7993 "to throw, cast hurl fling" - referring to its diving in pursuit of prey¹³
	Hawk	H5322	"unclean bird of prey"¹⁴
	Eagle	H5404	from an unused root meaning "to lacerate"¹⁵
	Owl	H8464¹⁶	from H2554 "to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly"¹⁷

The violent subjugation of fish

Adam knew what death was


    Reading Rom 5:12 to the end of the verse for once. and on to v13

References

No Death Before the Fall - A Young Earth Problem

Did Adam Step on an Ant Before the Fall? | Answers in Genesis

Was there really no death before the fall?

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